Farm Animal Welfare

Farmed Deer Velvet Antler Welfare

Velvet antler harvesting from farmed deer is a controversial practice with significant welfare implications that vary by method and management.

Key Facts

Antlers are removed while in the vascular velvet stage
The procedure causes pain if not performed with analgesia
New Zealand requires analgesia for velvet harvesting
Deer have been selectively bred for antler production
Demand is primarily driven by traditional medicine markets

Welfare Considerations

Antler removal without adequate pain relief causes acute pain in deer. Welfare standards vary enormously between countries, with some requiring analgesia and some having no requirements. Consumers and regulators can drive improvements by demanding welfare-certified velvet products.

What You Can Do

Only purchase velvet antler products from certified welfare-compliant sources
Advocate for mandatory analgesia in all velvet harvesting regulations
Support research into velvet harvesting pain assessment
Consider whether velvet antler consumption is necessary at all